IATA Calls for Raising Pilot Age Limit to 67
09-26-2025 | 03:05 PM
#1081
Bent over by buybacks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 638
IATA Calls for Raising Pilot Age Limit to 67
Today, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing more than 300 airlines and over 80% of global air traffic, submitted Working Paper A42-WP/349 to the ICAO Assembly calling for the multi-pilot commercial transport age limit to be raised from 65 to 67.This is a turning point. IATA’s proposal—built on years of data and global health trends—confirms what EPAS has long argued: experienced pilots are a vital safety and workforce resource. The evidence is clear:
- Nine countries already permit airline pilots to fly beyond age 65:Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Senegal, and Ukraine. None have seen safety degraded by this policy.
- Studies show no increase in medical incapacitation events above age 65.
- WHO data confirms improved health and longevity worldwide, and airline pilots as a group are healthier than the general population.
IATA’s leadership on this issue is now the fulcrum of the lever that will finally move international and U.S. policy forward. And with IATA leading, it is certain that EASA—the European equivalent of the FAA—will follow with support at the ICAO General Assembly meeting in Montreal this September.
For EPAS, this is validation at the highest level. The world’s airlines have now spoken with one voice: raise the age, retain experience, and secure the future of aviation. Meanwhile, ALPA’s leadership continues to resist this evidence-based reform, positioning themselves behind the curve of global aviation strategy. The industry deserves better than outdated opposition.
EPAS stands ready—together with IATA, ICAO, and States worldwide—to ensure this change is adopted. Together, we will preserve safety, strengthen the pilot workforce, and end age-based discrimination in the cockpit.The future of aviation demands foresight. EPAS is leading with it. IATA has shown it. ALPA is failing it!
Essentially flexing that it was a done deal. Naive? Stupid? Or just trying to raise money?
If this is you, MF...sorry bud
09-26-2025 | 03:19 PM
#1082
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 216
Likes: 46
I think it’s comical there has not been a statement from LEPF/EPAS.
09-26-2025 | 03:33 PM
#1084
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 225
Likes: 30
about the Benjamins. The Younger wants more sooner and the older wants more for longer. So now it’ll be tabled & studies for 3 years and then it’ll likely be raised…eventually. Ironically most of the Older Pilots that have funded this will have lost out and long since been retired. It is what it is. No sense in shooting inside the circle. Save your anger & ammo…all of us… for Management shenanigans & Sec 6 negotiations.
09-26-2025 | 03:45 PM
#1085
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,590
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Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) Exemption (29 U.S.C. § 623(f)(1)):
This allows employers to set mandatory retirement ages if age is a legitimate job requirement tied to safety or performance.
Age discrimination is widespread in the US, but only not allowed under a few narrow circumstances and the pilot retirement age is not one of them.
Pilots have sued and lost in court. There is case law that supports it.
Maybe you will have more luck in 2028 but its likely that this will just be the can that gets kicked down the road.
09-26-2025 | 03:47 PM
#1086
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 372
There has been & continued to be PLENTY of bashing older Pilots as well. I ended my ALPA PAC as a result of the Lies ALPA told regarding “safety”. If over 65 is so unsafe….why is ALPA accepting dues from 65-67 year old Pilots? Why hasn’t ALPA Lobbied the Canadian Government to lower the age in the name of safety? It’s all a bunch of Hog wash. Neither side will change the mind of the other. In the end it’s all
about the Benjamins. The Younger wants more sooner and the older wants more for longer. So now it’ll be tabled & studies for 3 years and then it’ll likely be raised…eventually. Ironically most of the Older Pilots that have funded this will have lost out and long since been retired. It is what it is. No sense in shooting inside the circle. Save your anger & ammo…all of us… for Management shenanigans & Sec 6 negotiations.
about the Benjamins. The Younger wants more sooner and the older wants more for longer. So now it’ll be tabled & studies for 3 years and then it’ll likely be raised…eventually. Ironically most of the Older Pilots that have funded this will have lost out and long since been retired. It is what it is. No sense in shooting inside the circle. Save your anger & ammo…all of us… for Management shenanigans & Sec 6 negotiations.
09-26-2025 | 03:55 PM
#1087
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 225
Likes: 30
I fully understand that, but they issued a Call to Action and put on a full court press pulling the “safety” card out and wagging it around all the while accepting ALPA dues from over age 65 pilots. If they had an iota of integrity they would refund 100% of the Dues all over age 65 ALPA Pilots have paid in.
09-26-2025 | 04:02 PM
#1088
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 114
There has been & continued to be PLENTY of bashing older Pilots as well. I ended my ALPA PAC as a result of the Lies ALPA told regarding “safety”. If over 65 is so unsafe….why is ALPA accepting dues from 65-67 year old Pilots? Why hasn’t ALPA Lobbied the Canadian Government to lower the age in the name of safety? It’s all a bunch of Hog wash. Neither side will change the mind of the other. In the end it’s all
about the Benjamins. The Younger wants more sooner and the older wants more for longer. So now it’ll be tabled & studies for 3 years and then it’ll likely be raised…eventually. Ironically most of the Older Pilots that have funded this will have lost out and long since been retired. It is what it is. No sense in shooting inside the circle. Save your anger & ammo…all of us… for Management shenanigans & Sec 6 negotiations.
about the Benjamins. The Younger wants more sooner and the older wants more for longer. So now it’ll be tabled & studies for 3 years and then it’ll likely be raised…eventually. Ironically most of the Older Pilots that have funded this will have lost out and long since been retired. It is what it is. No sense in shooting inside the circle. Save your anger & ammo…all of us… for Management shenanigans & Sec 6 negotiations.
Its not the younger fault to have a better “Timing”. Yes, some of them made CA quick, but I can tell you, their seniority in the left seat sucks.
09-26-2025 | 04:10 PM
#1089
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 33
From: 777 CA
I fully understand that, but they issued a Call to Action and put on a full court press pulling the “safety” card out and wagging it around all the while accepting ALPA dues from over age 65 pilots. If they had an iota of integrity they would refund 100% of the Dues all over age 65 ALPA Pilots have paid in.
09-26-2025 | 04:13 PM
#1090
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 372
I fully understand that, but they issued a Call to Action and put on a full court press pulling the “safety” card out and wagging it around all the while accepting ALPA dues from over age 65 pilots. If they had an iota of integrity they would refund 100% of the Dues all over age 65 ALPA Pilots have paid in.
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